Duke Freshman Jabari Parker Declares For NBA Draft

RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 21: Jabari Parker #1 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts in the second half against the Mercer Bears in the second round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PNC Arena on March 21, 2014 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

(AP) – Duke’s freshman star, Jabari Parker, announced on Thursday afternoon that he will indeed enter the 2014 NBA draft. That’s good news for Sixers fans, as Parker is projected to be a top-three overall selection in the draft. Parker, 6’8″ 235 pounds, averaged 19.1 PPG and 8.7 RBP in first and only season with Duke.

In an article for Sportsillustrated.com, Parker wrote, “Ultimately, I boiled my decision down to two simple questions:
Which environment — college or the NBA — offers me the best opportunity to grow as a basketball player?
Which environment — college or the NBA — offers me the best opportunity to grow and develop off the court?
The answer to both questions is undeniably the NBA.”

Parker also wrote that he intends to graduate from Duke while playing in the NBA.

“Today I sent my letter of intent to the NBA, Parker wrote. “That makes it official — my days as a Duke basketball player are over. But my days as a Duke student are not. I intend to graduate from Duke while I’m in the NBA. I was an honor student when I arrived at Duke, and I’d like to graduate as one.”